James 4 7

James 4:7 kjv

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 nkjv

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 niv

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 esv

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4:7 nlt

So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

James 4 verses

James 4 7 Meaning

James 4:7 delivers a two-fold command crucial for spiritual victory. Firstly, believers are to wholeheartedly yield to God's authority and will. This foundational act of humble submission prepares the heart for the subsequent instruction: to actively and resolutely stand against the schemes and temptations of the devil. The verse then concludes with a clear promise, that upon such resistance, the devil will assuredly retreat and flee. It delineates a cause-and-effect relationship, emphasizing that aligning with God is the prerequisite for effective spiritual defense.

James 4 7 Context

James 4:7 serves as a crucial turning point in James's exhortation to his readers. Preceding verses (4:1-6) sharply condemn their worldly desires, quarrels, and covetousness, likening friendship with the world to spiritual adultery against God. James highlights God's jealous love and His giving of more grace to the humble (4:6), contrasting with the proud. Therefore, the command to "submit yourselves therefore to God" directly follows the discussion of humility and God's grace, offering the remedy to their pride, strife, and worldliness. It presents the practical pathway out of the carnal living previously described, transitioning from identifying the problem to prescribing the spiritual solution: right relationship with God as the foundation for successful spiritual warfare against the adversary.

James 4 7 Word analysis

• Submit yourselves therefore: (Greek: ὑποτάσσω - hypotassō, a compound of hypo 'under' and tassō 'to arrange, order'). This verb means to place oneself under, to yield, or to obey. It is a military term implying orderly arrangement under authority. In this context, it is a deliberate, voluntary act of the individual (reflexive "yourselves") to align their will and actions with God's sovereignty and righteous character. The particle "therefore" (οὖν - oun) signals a logical consequence or conclusion drawn from the preceding context, specifically the spiritual adultery and pride addressed in Jas 4:1-6 and God's grace to the humble in 4:6. It indicates that genuine repentance and spiritual restoration necessitate this profound surrender.
• to God: (Greek: τῷ Θεῷ - tō Theō). This specifies the object of submission: the one true, sovereign God. It implies trust in His wisdom, justice, and love, yielding to His plans and purposes rather than self-will or worldly ambition. This submission is absolute and undivided, unlike the divided loyalties previously condemned (Jas 4:4).
• Resist: (Greek: ἀντίστητε - anthistēte, a compound of anti 'against' and histēmi 'to stand'). This is an imperative command, demanding active opposition and a firm stand against. Like hypotassō, it also has a military connotation, meaning to "set oneself against," "oppose," or "withstand." It implies vigilance and an intentional refusal to yield to demonic influence or temptation. This is not a passive waiting but an active confrontation.
• the devil: (Greek: τῷ διαβόλῳ - tō diabolō). From diabolos, meaning "slanderer" or "accuser." This identifies the spiritual adversary, Satan, the personal evil entity who opposes God and His people. Recognizing him as a personal, active enemy is crucial for effective resistance. He is the one behind the lusts, covetousness, and pride that incite the quarrels previously mentioned by James (Jas 4:1-3).
• and he will flee from you: (Greek: καὶ φεύξεται ἀφ᾽ ὑμῶν - kai pheuxetai aph' hymōn). This is a promise of certain outcome. Pheuxetai is the future tense of pheugō, meaning "to flee, escape, run away." This is a definitive retreat, an assurance of victory and deliverance from the devil's oppressive presence or assault. The effectiveness of resistance is not due to human strength, but because of God's power backing those who submit to Him.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• Submit yourselves therefore to God: This phrase lays the foundational prerequisite for all spiritual strength and victory. It signifies a profound shift from self-rule, worldly desires, and pride to humble alignment with divine authority. It is an act of acknowledging God's rightful place in one's life, turning away from spiritual idolatry and embracing His grace. This step establishes the secure ground from which to engage in spiritual warfare.
• Resist the devil: This second command builds upon the first. One cannot truly and effectively resist the devil without first submitting to God. Resistance here is an active, ongoing spiritual posture against the adversary's temptations, deceptions, and accusations. It's a standing firm against his tactics, relying on the power and authority granted through one's submission to God, not by one's own merit or strength. It is a call to discernment and decisive action against evil influences.
• and he will flee from you: This promise provides immense encouragement. It means the devil does not endure such Spirit-empowered resistance. His power is broken and limited when confronted by a heart submitted to God. This phrase emphasizes God's sovereign power over evil, assuring believers that their struggle, when properly aligned with God's will, culminates in the enemy's undeniable retreat and loss of influence.

James 4 7 Bonus section

The sequential nature of the two commands in James 4:7 is pivotal. Submission to God must precede resistance to the devil. Attempting to resist the devil without a prior surrender to God leaves one vulnerable and reliant on self-strength, which is insufficient against spiritual powers. This divine order reveals that spiritual victory is not primarily about direct confrontation with evil entities from a position of human might, but about proper alignment and fellowship with God, from which flows His empowering grace and authority. This verse implies a consistent spiritual discipline, as submission to God and resistance to temptation are ongoing practices in a believer's life. The devil's fleeing is a direct consequence, not merely of active opposition, but of that opposition being rooted in obedience and dependence on God. This demonstrates the ultimate limited power of Satan in the face of God's majesty and grace.

James 4 7 Commentary

James 4:7 offers a vital dual prescription for spiritual vitality, directly countering the worldliness and internal strife described in previous verses. The verse outlines a sequence: submission to God first, which then empowers effective resistance against the devil, culminating in his certain retreat. Submission (ὑποτάσσω) is a humble, conscious act of placing oneself under God's loving authority, relinquishing self-will and worldly allegiance. This prerequisite humility allows God's grace to work within the believer, establishing a fortress of divine protection. Only from this posture of surrender can one truly "resist" (ἀντίστητε), actively standing firm and opposing the devil's temptations, deceptions, and destructive influences. This resistance is not fought in human strength, but by relying on the divine power accessed through submission. The promise that "he will flee from you" is an absolute assurance; it signifies the devil's inability to withstand a soul aligned with God, revealing God's absolute sovereignty and the ultimate defeat of the enemy in the lives of His faithful. This truth empowers believers to engage in daily spiritual warfare with confidence, knowing their efforts are not in vain, as God Himself ensures the adversary's flight.